The European Contact Lens Forum (ECLF) – The results of the CLEER-Project

Review of Complications Associated With Contact Lenses From Unregulated Sources of Supply

“…1,7,8,10,[53][54][55] To try and put the findings in context, an additional search was made to estimate the total number of case reports on MK secondary to all CL usage in the period 1988 till present. That is, cases in which CLs had been acquired without a valid prescription and, therefore, without the supervision of an eye care practitioner.…”

“…7 Similarly, a Turkish survey found that 49% (n=443) of university students were obtaining their lenses without a prescription and 54% had sought information about their CLs from sources other than a doctor. Eye care practitioners were invited to report serious adverse events using an online data collection system.…”

“…Epidemiologic research over the past 25 years has investigated the incidence of CLrelated MK, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and although there have been advances in CL materials and design, the incidence of MK has remained consistent over time. The most serious of these is the sightthreatening complication of microbial keratitis (MK).…”

“…7,[14][15][16] The most common governmental intervention is to regulate the sale of CLs by manufacturers. 7,[14][15][16] The most common governmental intervention is to regulate the sale of CLs by manufacturers.…”

“…In Europe, those CLs regarded as medical devices are required to obtain a CE-mark (confirmation of conformity with appropriate European Directives) declaring that the product adheres to relevant European health and safety standards. 7 In most Asian countries, the supply of CLs is unregulated. 16 In both jurisdictions, decorative plano CLs initially fell outside of these regulations.…”